Lailani Upham grew up on Amskapi Pikuni (Blackfeet) traditional lands in Northwest Montana. As a child, she listened to stories and songs about her people and their culture, as told by her grandparents and Tribal elders. As an adult, Lailani took these stories with her everywhere - they helped ground her, wherever she was, even if she was far from home. In 2019, she realized she wanted to take her stories to the next level by starting her own Indigenous-led company that facilitates "cultural storytelling hikes" on Blackfeet lands. Iron Shield Creative takes Tribal and non-Tribal people on hikes that are steeped in language, narrative, song, and community. Lailani's goal is to cultivate understanding from an Indigenous perspective and diminish damaging stereotypes by sharing traditions and stories. https://freeflowinstitute.com/3-2-the-leader-lailani-upham/ Our theme music is by Nate Heygi and Wartime Blues. The Freeflow Podcast is made possible by support from the Prop Foundation. Mary Auld and Stephanie Maltarich produced this episode. To learn more about Freeflow Institute, go to www.freeflowinstitute.com.